Entertainment
10 January, 2026
Talent urged to enter art awards
ENTRIES are beginning to flow in for $9000 worth of awards and prizes in the Cairns Art Society 2026 Annual Art Awards, with artists across the region encouraged to submit their work before the closing date later this month.
Now in its 78th year, the annual art awards remain one of the society’s longest-running and most significant events, showcasing the depth and diversity of local artistic talent.
Each year, about 100 entries are submitted, with 65 works selected for the final exhibition.
The exhibition will be held at the Cairns Regional Gallery in the Lady Norman Gallery, with selected works displayed for five weeks from 31 January 2026.
The awards presentation night will take place on Friday 30 January, ahead of the public opening.
Artists aged 16 and over are eligible to enter. Participants are required to pay a small entry fee and must be members of the Cairns Art Society. A dedicated team of volunteers runs the organisation and offers artists a range of opportunities throughout the year.
Cairns Art Society operates two exhibition spaces in the city: the DFO gallery at DFO shopping centre and Artists@Work at 51 Lake St, Cairns. The society also coordinates a wide range of workshops, exhibitions and activities aimed at supporting and developing local artists.
The 2026 annual art awards feature 10 award categories.
Entries close on Monday 12 January at 5pm. Full details about categories, entry requirements and membership can be found on the Cairns Art Society website: www.bit.ly/4bhM7sg.
Following the awards presentation, the exhibition will be open to the public from 31 January through to 8 March 2026 at Cairns Art Gallery, offering residents and visitors the chance to view a curated selection of local artwork and celebrate nearly eight decades of artistic practice in Cairns.
